Despite a perishingly cold evening, a hardy 143 cyclists took to the streets on June 10, perhaps inspired by the kerfuffle in nearby Portsmouth which dominated local media during the preceding week. Riders were colourful and joyous as they enjoyed the classic 6 mile tour of the city.

The Southampton WNBR is part of Team Green Britain Bike Week (18-26 June 2011).

Next ride

Date: Friday 10 June 2011Time: 6pm (ride will set off around 6.30pm)Location:East side of Southampton Common at the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road.

Ride details

Assembly point

We will meet on the eastern side of Southampton Common, in the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road. It's also close to the pedestrian underpass if you are approaching from the western side of the Common. Here's a google map showing the spot. If you are using a GPS device, the closest postcode is SO17 1BF.

At 6.30pm we'll hit the streets of Southampton on our beautiful bikes. If you have roller blades, skateboards or other (non-carbon emitting) wheels feel free to use them. The ride will take about an hour most likely.

Dress code

Come as bare as you dare. Nudity makes a great statement, and many of us will be completely naked, but if you're more comfortable in a little clothing, that's fine too. In previous years, riders have worn shorts, bras, swimwear, body paint, wigs, sunglasses etc. Most wear footwear and bring bags to carry clothes. Body painting and adornment, customised bikes and other creative expression are all strongly encouraged.

Body painting at The Art House

We encourage everyone to get painted up with a quick bike-loving, traffic-busting slogan, even if you only have five minutes before the start of the ride. But if you have a little more time, our friends at The Art House (178 Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DW) have kindly offered a private space from 4pm where you can create something really impressive. Ideally come with a friend and paint one another. We will have some body paints available, but feel free to bring more.

Route

A 6 mile route taking in Portswood, Bevois Valley, City Centre including Oxford Street, and returning via The Avenue to the start location. The 2011 route is shown here. In brief the route will be:
North on Highfield Road, right into Highfield Lane, at junction with Portswood Road, go straight ahead into St Denys Road, then right (past Portswood Cycles). PAUSE for the ride to regroup. Turn left into Portswood Road. Follow Portswood Road / Bevois Valley Road / Onslow Road. PAUSE at the junction of Onslow Road and St Mary's Street to allow the ride to regroup. Then, enter Dorset Street and the Charlotte Place (Jury's Inn) roundabout. Take third exit into E Park Terrace. PAUSE in front of Solent Univ for ride to regroup. Continue down Palmerston Road and Queensway. Turn left on Bernard Street then bear right into Oxford St. PAUSE in Oxford St for a brief break. Second left into John Street and left again on Bernard Street. Continue on Bernard Street until turning right into High St. Follow High St to Bargate and PAUSE to regroup. Continue into Above Bar - take care to avoid pedestrians and dismount if necessary. At the traffic lights at the top of Above Bar, go straight into London Road. Continue onto The Avenue. At Cowherds, take cycle path through The Common, past the pond, then right to the underpass. Finish at the start location on the eastern part of the Common.

Legality

We have notified the police of our intention to ride in protest against oil dependency and in celebration of our bodies. They are fully aware that many/most of our riders will be nude and partially nude as we cycle a route through the streets of Southampton. They are not expected to prevent our nudity.

Simple nudity isn't illegal in the UK, but using nudity to intentionally cause harassment, alarm or distress may be illegal. Don't act offensively and you are very unlikely to be arrested. We have notified the police of our intention to ride in protest against oil dependency and in celebration of bicycles. They are fully aware that many/most of our riders will be nude and partially nude as we cycle a route through the streets of Southampton.

We have been specifically instructed by the police to observe the rules of the road, stopping at red lights and giving way as required at junctions. Please follow this instruction for your own safety and to avoid antagonising non-cyclists. There are several regrouping points on the ride in case the ride gets separated.

Public transport

The start location is a 3 mile ride from Southampton Airport Parkway railway station, which is a main stop on the London Waterloo to Bournemouth and Poole line. Local stations at Swaythling and St Denys are closer still.

Planning

There is much planning still to do and assistance would be appreciated! Please get in touch via southampton@worldnakedbikeride.org if you plan to ride or if you are able to help.

Events

Publicity

Poster and Flyers

We have a great A4 poster and also flyers for the 2011 ride. Please print and display everywhere you can think of where cyclists, environmentalists and freedom-lovers congregate! Download the PDF here:

Planning meetings

Press releases

History

2011

2010

2010's Southampton ride took place again in warm sunshine after an overcast day that kept everyone guessing. Around 130 souls set off from the Common, ranging from 7-months old to the considerably more mature! For the first time police cyclists rode with us, and their presence was much appreciated. It was smiles all round as we took our usual tour of the city's sights, followed by an extended circuit around the western side of the Common before returning to catch the last rays of sun. Thanks to all riders for turning out and flexing creativity with awesome body paint, bike decoration and costumes!

2009

Southampton had another great ride in 2009! Leading up to the ride, the local media gave much good coverage including a number of live to air pieces for the local BBC radio station. On a dry and 'warm enough' evening 150 riders attended. The convoy was led in fine style by a pair of Penny Farthings dating from the 1890s. We felt that these vehicles from a time before the internal combustion engine neatly debunked the foolish idea that roads are made for cars! Helped by the stately pace of the vintage bikes, the ride stayed closely bunched together which gave a sense of unity. We were greeted warmly by bystanders as we passed, and most car drivers were tolerant (though there were the odd few aggressive exceptions). Though numbers were about the same as last year, it seemed to me there was a greater show of nakedness this time, so hoorah for Southampton riders!

2008

The 2008 ride took place on 6 June and was a great success once more. In sunny weather, in excess of 156 riders enjoyed an extensive tour of the city, and were warmly greeted by onlookers. There was positive coverage in the local press.

2007

Southampton had a really successful first ride in 2007, with 102 riders setting off. The Police allowed us to ride naked, and confirmed no complaints from the public. The riders experienced cheers and smiles as we completed a 6 mile tour of the City. The threatened rain held off long enough for us to finish the ride and even to have leisurely naked picnic at the finish. A great evening!